A Declaration of War

That’s what North Korea’s foreign minister, Ri Yong-ho, said in answer to President Trump’s comments suggesting he would eradicate North Korea and its leaders. The minister declared their right to shoot down U.S. warplanes “even when they are not inside the airspace border of our country.” The possibility of a diplomatic solution to the biggest foreign crisis Trump has faced seems ever more distant. Some airlines have changed their flight routes in the region, afraid of accidentally being shot down.

Kurds Vote for Independence from Iraq

Although votes will not be counted until late today, the outcome is expected to be overwhelmingly in favor of independence of Iraqi Kurdistan, raising the threat of military intervention if they split off. The White House had pressured the Kurds to call off the vote, warning that a Kurdish move toward independence would fracture Iraq and jeopardize the coalition against the Islamic State, also known as ISIS. “We need a unified Iraq to annihilate ISIS,” White House spokeswoman, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, said on Monday.

Puerto Rico Destroyed

The island is on the edge of a “humanitarian crisis,” its governor said after the U.S. territory was devastated by Hurricane Maria. The more than 3.4 million residents have little water and are expected to remain without power for some time. They have to stand in excruciating long lines for fuel. Governor Rosselló appealed to Congress to give them the same treatment as hurricane-shattered states, and send more money, supplies and relief workers.

Watch this video for an explanation of the natural disasters that have struck our planet over the last few months.